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Hazlewood expects tough day in Cup clash

Joe Barton

Rising NSW paceman Josh Hazlewood is expecting another high-scoring affair in Sunday's one-day clash with Victoria at the unforgiving North Sydney Oval.

The tiny suburban ground is the enemy of bowlers, with the corresponding fixture last year producing an incredible 641 runs as Daniel Smith blasted the highest domestic score by a Blues player, an unbeaten 179 as NSW ran down Victoria's total of 7-317.

Which means Hazlewood and his all-star pace allies could face a tough time against the Bushrangers, who go into the match with a five-point gap at the top of the competition.

"It's always tough to bowl at North Sydney as we saw last year (when) ... we chased it down with a bonus point," Hazlewood said.

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"The only chance is to bowl first, I think. Sometimes, the wicket's a little bit tacky in the morning and you can get away with 10-15 overs where it's a bit harder to play.

"Whenever you're bowling there, it's tough work."

Hazlewood could be the key figure for the Blues, who will be without left-arm quick Mitchell Starc, Shane Watson, David Warner and Michael Clarke to Test duties.

The 21-year-old impressed the Bushrangers' batsmen during their Sheffield Shield clash on a lifeless SCG wicket during the week, with veteran opener Chris Rogers singling the young star out for praise.

That followed on from a week spent in the Australian camp before the Gabba Test - which has given the man mountain plenty of confidence about his short-term prospects in the national setup.

"I had a few chats (to coach Mickey Arthur) while I was up there," Hazlewood said.

"It's obviously great to know you're probably the fifth quick in line, obviously with the three playing and Mitchell and myself. It's good to know you're there or thereabouts.

"Obviously I've just got to keep bowling well at the domestic level in the Shield and one-dayers as well.

"That's all you can do - just keep working hard and taking wickets for NSW.

"... It was such a great feeling around the squad (and gave me) a sense of confidence following on from last year. To train around Michael Clarke and Ricky Ponting, it was really good stuff."

NSW, who beat WA in their only one-day clash so far this season, could also be confronted with a reality TV show winner when they line up against Victoria, who have picked Cricket Superstar's Ian Holland in their 12-man squad.

The 22-year-old was awarded a rookie contract after impressing judges, including Test great Allan Border, on the reality show.

But the allrounder is far from a token selection having performed solidly in club cricket, where he has 16 wickets at 10.13, and for Victoria's second XI.

"We'd never do that, standing at the top of the table," Victoria's first-class coach Greg Shipperd said of the selection.